Awakening Of The New Emperor

POV: Recruit 79

1 week later

It had been about a week since we left that forsaken temple, and all for the better. I still get nightmares about that to this day...

After the campfire incident, Oswin knew it was a sensitive matter, so we didn't really bring it up after that. I've been trying to think about why that happened, or even recreate it in the slightest way possible.

Not once in my pathetic life have I ever been able to conjure anything with nexus.

Despite my understanding of it being quite advanced, far from the basics, I just could never replicate anything. Not even the most trivial castings.

Even now, I can't.

However what happened then was different.

Even if it was just for a mere moment, I felt powerful.

I was able to feel the energy surging through my body, and instead of it feeling like a foreign substance—it felt natural, like controlling it was nothing but my sixth sense, something that I've honed over decades.

But it was all completely new, something that up until then, never happened.

"Lost in thought again?" Oswin mentioned as he continued to cut through some of the thicker bushes with a chipped machete.

"I suppose you could say that," I admitted.

"Well focus up, got something cool for you to see," Oswin exclaimed as he gave me a hard nudge with his shoulder, as he proceeded to reach out and pull apart a string of heavy vines that rested off of one of the higher tree branches just in front of our path.

No way...

As the vines twisted out, a scene came into view of a quaint town. There was nothing special about it, and if anything the climb down from this ridge would be a pain.

But this town was under The New Order.

Which means...

I've finally made it back home.

"Despite how trashed the world is now, can't help but admit a sight like this is definitely quite beautiful," Oswin mentioned as he slowly loosened his grip on the vines, letting them sway back around and cover the area back up.

"You said it," I reply, clearly ecstatic which seemed to show, as Oswin had a resting smug expression riddled over his face.

"Stop that," I spat as I nearly punch him in his face just before he dodged back.

We turned around and began walking in silence, deciding to go back and take the long way around, as the journey down the ridge would be far too dangerous to someone in either of our state, physically and mentally tired from the long journey. 

Through spiked plants that stuck to my skin nearly bringing me a tear despite what I've experienced in the past, and wild animals that'll try to bite at your leg.

While I've still felt groggy from falling unconscious due to that energy blast, Oswin seemed to have finally stepped up. He's been doing the hunting and scouting, not without it's very weak protests of course.

***

The journey down away from the ridge took a few hours, but went by very fast, mostly out of my excitement to get back.

We had finally made it onto the main path, which branched perfectly into the village, as it only grow closer in the skyline by the second.

"There's a militia base here, if my knowledge serves to still be correct," Oswin mentioned. "Nervous to be back, you know... here?" he asked.

"Nervous, no, just worried. I'm not really sure what will happen to be honest. All I can hope is that everything turns out okay, which I think it will... as long as one of those 'bursts' don't happen again," I mention in a low tone, trying not to think about it again.

"Yeah... they'll definitely tie you to a chair in a lab far far away," Oswin joked.

"This isn't funny!" I screamed slamming my fist into his chest, which knocked the wind out of him.

"Y-You're right, I-I'm sorry," Oswin stuttered heavily, still attempting to recollect his breath. "But just try to stay away from the crowd. I assume that wouldn't be too hard, especially in a more remote area like this. Just try to avoid the questioning as much as possible and you'll be fine," he reassures me.

"It's never that easy," I mention.

"Yeah... I guess it never is. But you'll find out sooner or later."

As we began approaching the village, more and more bystanders seemed to take notice of Oswin, as now he's the odd one out in these parts.

"Here, take this," I spoke lightly to Oswin as I took off the cloak I had been using. While ripped and didn't age well this past month, it'd still work as an effective cover up for his very odd choice of fabric and fashion.

Oswin took it silently and quickly threw it on, diverting the watchful eyes around us.

"Good thinking," he mentioned as we continued down, finally entering the outskirts of the village where people roamed in unison.

Kids juggled around a ball together, followed by a nice mix of laughter. Their adults watched from a safe distance, followed by many wandering through the surrounding markets, just living their day to day life.

The sense of normality brought with it a nice pleasure of peace.

After just a bit more walking, we had finally made it on the path to the base. While I was far from the central parts of the region, at least I'd be back under future Emperor Zhang.

However, Oswin stopped as we started walking down.

"Well," he spoke. "I think I'll go ahead and take my leave here," he mentioned.

I didn't reply, instead, I simply acknowledged. It would be far too dangerous for him to come up with me, as even regular civilians are often inspected if they wander around too far up here, and he'd definitely be in for trouble if he get's brought in.

"Safe travels, friend," I replied as I stuck out my hand.

Oswin took it and left me with a firm grip before releasing his hand, giving a quick wave as he turned around and started heading back.

"Let me know if you ever need anything!" I loosely shout, trying to make up for the parting distance while keeping a low profile.

He turned around once more and gave me a smile, before he continued walking away.

Turning back towards the base, I couldn't help but smile.

'Let's see what happens,' I thought to myself.